Major Events of the Civil War

Battle of Fort Sumter

Apr 12, 1861

The battle of Fort Sumter was the bombardment of U.S. Fort Sumter, near Charleston, South Carolina, by the Confederates, and the return gunfire and subsequent surrender by the U.S army. This was the main event that triggered the beginning of the civil war. Surprisingly, there were no deaths on either side.

First Battle of Bull Run

Jul 21, 1861

The First Battle of Bull Run was fought on July 21, 1861. It was the first major battle of the Civil War and resulted in a Confederate victory. Here, General Jackson received his famous nickname "Stonewall Jackson."

Battle of Shiloh

Apr 6, 1862

This was the first battle that had a truly large amount of casualties. This battle ended the south's hope for regaining Tennessee, while it also made General Grant temporarily lose his position in command.

battle of Antietam

Sep 17, 1862

This battle counts as one of the only two battles that were fought in the North. Winning this fight, the confederates were able to push Lee back to the South and the victory set Lincoln up to finally issue the Emancipation Proclamation. This battle is considered the single bloodiest day of the Civil War

Battle of Chancellorsville

Apr 30, 1863

In this battle, considered the greatest confederate victory, Stonewall Jackson and Lee out maneuver Hooker. By accident, Stonewall Jackson is shot by one of his own troops and he dies a week later.

Battle of Gettysburg

Jul 1, 1863

This battle is known as the turning point in the war. It was the South's last chance to win the war; however, General Lee won the battle over the union.

Battle of Vicksburg

Jul 4, 1863

In this battle, 30,000 confederate troops defending Vicksburg laid down their arms and surrendered. This is considered the most important victory in the west and it caused the confederacy to be split in two by the Mississippi river. Slaves celebrated their first independence day on this date.

Gettyburg Address

Nov 19, 1863

15,000 people gather at Gettysburg to address the soldiers who lost their lives in that Battle of Gettysburg. Lincoln delivered a two minute speech to the people which became famous

Siege of St. Petersburg

Jun 9, 1864

Unable to reach Richmond or defeat lee’s army, grant moved around the capital and attack Petersburg. He knew if he could cut off shipments of food to Richmond the city would have to surrender.

Election of 1864

Nov 8, 1864

For this election, George McClellan was nominated by the democrats. McClellan was happy to oppose Lincoln who had twice fired him, yet Lincoln won this election in the end.

Sherman's March to the Sea

Nov 15, 1864

In early September, the confederate army was forced to leave Atlanta. Sherman orders Atlanta to be evacuated and burned. Sherman then led some 62,000 soldiers on a march to the sea to capture savannah and on December 21, 1864, the union army entered savannah without a fight. Sherman’s message to Lincoln read “I beg to present you, as a Christmas gift, the city of savannah”.

Appomattox

Apr 9, 1865

Robert E. Lee surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant in the Appomattox court house, ending the Civil War.